Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
Complete Study of Numbers by pastor Chuck Smith
NUMBERS 16: “A
FIGHT FOR HIGH POSITION” – by Sonny Islas, For the full message, watch it on
the Facebook video or on SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube channel!
INTRODUCTION:
At this point in the story, we’re going to read about a very envious
and self-centered man by the name of Korah, (his name means bald, possibly
pointing to his hairless body as a newborn baby, and like Moses and Aaron, he
too was Levite). This man led a great rebellion against Moses and Aaron. He and
his followers wanted to take Moses and Aaron’s God-given positions. But as we
will soon see, Korah and his conspirators will get a rude awakening from the
LORD Himself!
The Book of Jude calls Korah’s actions “the rebellion of
Korah” (JUDE 1:11).
Korah went down in history as a rebel towards God and God’s
men.
We can also view this sad scene as A GIANT OLD TESTAMENT
CHURCH SPLIT. This was one massive division. It’s a picture of what one
discontented megalomaniac guy can do. “A little leaven (the sin of pride) can
in fact leaven (affect and influence) the whole lump (in Korah’s case –
thousands of discontented Israelites)” (GAL 5:9).
NUMBERS 16:1-3
1 Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; 2 and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. 3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?
[vs 1] NOW KORAH… WITH DATHAN, ABIRAM, AND ON: This man
named ON was ON alright, ON the losing side. He was off track!
Poor Moses, he doesn’t seem to catch a break! In NUMBERS 12, Moses’ own sister Miriam and older brother
Aaron came against Him to try and take his position and God struck Miriam with
Leprosy for what she did and kicked her out of the camp for 7 days. NOW KORAH:
Who is Moses’ cousin. Talk about having a dysfunctional family! Looks like
Korah didn’t learn the lesson God taught everyone when He struck Miriam for the
same sin that Korah is guilty of now – to attempt to overthrow God’s man out of
impure spite and pride.
Interestingly enough, NUMBERS 14,
Israel wanted a new leader – and lo and behold, here he is – Korah, the godless
rebel.
[vs. 2] THEY ROSE UP AGAINST MOSES… WITH TWO HUNDRED AND
FIFTY LEADERS OF THE CONGREGATION (THIS WAS LIKE ONE BIG GIANT OUTDOOR CHURCH)
… MEN OF RENOWN: At first glance, it looked like Korah’s “IMPEACH MOSES AND
AARON NOW!” CAMPAIGN was going really swell! Korah was one persuasive man, he
was able to gain the support of the most popular, powerful, and notable men of
Israel. Korah figured in the secret
chamber of his darkened heart, “I’m going to win the support of the best men,
in order to impeach Moses!”
This is a common divide and conquer tactic that men who try
to cause division in local churches use. They speak evil of the leader or
leadership to others (even leaders if they can get away with it, like Korah did
here), to defame them and to gain support in order to get what they really want
– the “throne”, i.e. control and power.
Just for kicks, I read an article regarding the main
reasons why local churches split up: And it turns out that church splits are
very common which is heartbreaking. If a local church splits, it should be to
plant another church.
The reasons for church splits are:
1. Unwillingness to forgive overlookable offences – small and petty offences.
2. When major and irreparable offences occur.
3. When high and unrealistic expectations are not met.
4. When a leadership is passive and disconnected.
5. When doctrinal differences occur.
6. When people disagree on music styles.
7. When a jealous person rallies others to impeach the pastor.
8. Church splits also occur when obvious spiritual abuse comes from the
leadership – at this point it’s right to leave. When church leaders are
questionably or undeniably in the wrong – they should be respectfully
confronted. The article goes on to state that pride and selfishness is always
the root cause.
I heard John MacArthur tell of a time early in his
ministry, of a few haughty church members who rose up against him and
eventually caused 200 people to ditch his church. I don’t remember all the
details, but MacArthur said it was a tough time. I bet!
Serving in church leadership is not an easy job, that’s why
at times, even the great Moses wanted out. People can be difficult to work
with. One statistic shows that: The average stay at a church for a senior
pastor is about 4 years. (Well, I’m just about 8 years in, so I should be ok –
with the LORD’s help!) Pray for SBC’s church leadership – because we need it.
Most of the congregation of Israel didn’t like Moses (which
is beyond me because he was a great leader – arguably one of the best). One
valuable thing I knew when becoming a pastor was that not everyone is going to
like me – and that’s ok. The pastorate is not a popularity contest – it’s
shepherding, and some sheep bite! Good spiritual leadership knows that
it’s in a battle for people’s souls and greater levels of spiritual growth and
obedience to God’s Word (In Moses’ case, he worked hard to get them closer to
God and into the promised land). He wasn’t worried about being liked.
Listen, I have no time to drown in 'poor me pity parties'. I
don’t give too much thought regarding people liking me or not – I’m sure some
just don’t – so be it. Children don’t always like their parents either – but a
parent’s got to do what a parent’s got to do.
Regarding pastors, HEBREWS 13:17 says,
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your
souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with
grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
[vs. 3] YOU TAKE TOO MUCH UPON YOURSELVES: Korah and his
rebels accused Moses and Aaron of greedily grabbing too much leadership and
authority for themselves. Which could not be further from the truth, because
Moses and Aaron were chosen by God and again, Moses eventually raised up 70
elders to help him lead - this is not the move of a one man show.
It was God who called Moses and Aaron to serve and lead
Israel – and as you know Moses refused to be God’s front man and mouthpiece at
first, therefore God called Aaron to assist Moses.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:8 tells us that it is God who
places everyone exactly where He wants them:
But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He
pleased.”
Just as God chose our eyes to be placed above the nose on our face
and for our ears to stick out on each side of our head, God chooses what
everyone here will do for Him. He positions His people (body parts if you
will) where He wants them.
And God chose Moses to lead Israel, not Korah.
When it comes to local church pastors/elders, ACTS 20:28
tells us that it was the Holy Spirit that has made us overseers and shepherds
(pastors). Genuine pastors are ultimately handpicked by God, not by man
(although man plays a role in the recognition of spiritual giftings and in
selecting men). Korah and the majority of Israel utterly failed to understand
this valuable lesson.
[vs. 3 cont’d] FOR ALL THE CONGREGATION IS HOLY, EVERYONE
OF THEM, AND THE LORD IS AMONG THEM:
Korah and his rebels were wrong and right here. i.e. the majority of the
congregation was not holy (practically speaking) at this point because they
were in a state of rebellion against the LORD. And, yes, some may have been
holy, as far as belonging to God, but they were not holy like Moses and Aaron
in the sense that they were not holy - or set apart - for the divine purpose of
leading Israel like Moses and Aaron.
Korah was basically saying “look everyone, all of us can be
leaders like Moses and Aaron.” There is no distinction between us and them. But
there was a clear difference – they (Moses and Aaron etc.) were called to lead
the ministerial work, while the rest were called to follow and participate.
Korah’s attitude reminds me of JAMES 3:14-16
14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast
and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is
earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion
and every evil thing are there.
Here we see that envy and self-seeking only leads to demonic
activity and confusion. We need to beware of envy and self-seeking at all
times. It will tear a local church and its leadership apart!
JAMES 4:1-3
1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your
desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You
murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have
because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss,
that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Here we see that anytime anyone lusts for position,
influence and power, war will break out. Lust for more, only produces fights,
wars, disunity, and all out division.
TITUS 3:9-11 - tells us how to handle
modern day Korah’s in the local church:
9 But avoid foolish disputes,
genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are
unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second
admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being
self-condemned.
NUMBERS 16:4-11
4 So when Moses heard it, he fell on his
face; 5 and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow
morning the LORD will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to
come near to Him. That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him. 6
"Do this: Take censers, Korah and all your company; 7 "put fire in
them and put incense in them before the LORD tomorrow, and it shall be that the
man whom the LORD chooses is the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you
sons of Levi!" 8 Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of
Levi: 9 "Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated
you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the
work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to
serve them; 10 "and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all
your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood
also? 11 Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD.
And what is Aaron that you complain against him?
[vs. 4] WHEN MOSES HEARD IT , HE FELL ON HIS FACE: This is
the response of a godly man/leader. Moses didn’t act right away. He didn’t make
a counterattack plan. He prayed to God for clear guidance in the matter at
hand! And I believe that it was the LORD’s idea to have all these men burn
incense (which is the responsibility of Aaron and His sons – the priest) not
Korah nor his bandits. (When people come against us, let’s not become
impulsive, let’s take it to God first, and He will show us what to do and how
to go about things).
Notice, that the LORD showed Moses what to do right away –
by “tomorrow morning” God was going to handle these rebels ASAP!
Paul tells Korah and his wannabe priests, DO THIS: “Take censors (250 of them) and burn incense before the LORD.” This was a clear test.
Because again, this was precisely Aaron and his sons (the priests) job and no
one else’s (EXOD 30:7-9 & 1 CHRON 6:49).
In one sense, Moses challenged Korah’s men to take their
rebellion to the next level by openly and directly disobeying God’s Word -
which was that incense burning was strictly for Aaron and his sons to do. Moses
basically said, “You want to rebel, let me help you with that!” DO THIS…
God allowed Korah’s men to act as priests for a moment only
to reject them.
I think that the LORD still does this today. He may let
self-exalting, greedy rebels, power grabbers, and limelight lovers to do what
they lust after in local churches, but He won’t support it, bless it, nor
approve of it.
In verse 7, Moses
tells Korah and his minions, “You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of
Levi!” Moses was telling them, “I’m not the one craving for position and power,
you are, and now – you will face God and His wrath! And calling them “sons of
Levi” was like calling them “mere men – or senseless dummies” – who absurdly
came against God and His will and His Word.
From verse 9-10, Moses tells Korah, (paraphrase) “look, God
gave you an awesome position already – you are in charge of carrying the Holy
things of the Tabernacle” (NUM 4:15). But this wasn’t enough for Korah and his
men. They wanted everything. This is why Moses asks, “and are you seeking
(self-seeking that is) the priesthood also?” This was Moses’ way of saying
“What’s wrong with you people?!” – These men lusted for that which was not
given to them.
Unlike Korah, let’s learn to be content with wherever God has us and with whatever God has us doing, and if He desires to give us more in His perfect wisdom and timing, then so be it – but don’t lust for advancement, nor plot for position, be a humble and happy servant of God instead. Here, we clearly see how God feels about the envious, the jealous, the ungrateful, the discontent, the complainer and power grabber - He doesn’t like it at all!Regarding the local church – if God calls you to serve in the music ministry, don’t lust after the Music Director’s position. If God calls you to teach children, don’t lust after the Children Director’s position. If God calls you to the assistant pastorate or eldership, don’t lust after the senior pastor’s role. Don’t have the “Anything you can do; I can do better than you” attitude. Just serve happily and faithfully, God will take care of the rest (faithfulness to what GOD has given to you, will lead to His promotion (PS 37:34;75:5-7; PR 4:7-9)
I’ve heard of pastor’s wives desiring their husband’s role – not good. By the way, today’s female pastors and preachers are just like Korah and his rebels in that they fight for and perform that which was not given to them.
When the LORD called me to ministry work, I just served in any way possible, and little by little the LORD raised me up (with all my flaws and failures). I started off by giving Bible studies in high school (during lunch breaks) and making Christian rap music (also traveling from place to place and church to church), then became (defacto) a youth leader, then a young adult leader and worship leader, then as an outreach leader, then an assistant pastor (and I did all this while preaching at different churches – as a kind of evangelist) to eventually planting SHINE BRIGHT Church in 2014.
And it was all in the LORD’s timing – the LORD was
preparing me for this job. I didn’t have to lust for it or fight for it – I
just stayed busy and faithful about God’s work. By the way, when my brother, pastor Danny or
anyone would say that I would someday be a pastor – I shunned the idea. Now, by
the grace of God, here I am – a senior pastor like by brother Danny.
And listen, I hold this pastoral position the LORD has
given me with fear and trembling. There have been times when I’ve told the
LORD,
“LORD, if you have not called me to the pastorate, please remove me. Please make it known to me. Because I don’t want to do anything You have not called me to.”
I’ve also prayed,
“LORD, if You have someone who can do a better job than me
– use him in my place.” And to be super transparent with you, I’ve prayed this
prayer several times throughout the years and with tears. I’m sure that the
LORD has called me – at the same time I’ll be happy to give it up, if the LORD
told me to – no questions asked.
NUMBERS 16:12-14
12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, but they said,
"We will not come up! 13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up
out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that
you should keep acting like a prince over us? 14 "Moreover you have not
brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of
fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come
up!
Here we see Dathan and Abiram, Korah’s right-and left-hand
rebels, refusing to meet with Moses. They were not man enough to talk with
Moses face to face. They would rather keep complaining in public, in the itchy
ears of the congregation.
They accused Moses of being a lousy leader that couldn’t
get Israel into the promised land, but it was the congregation’s rejection of
God that stopped them from entering the promised land.
This reminds me of congregants who blame the pastor for
their lack of spiritual growth and progress (i.e. “Why are you not getting me
into the promised land, i.e., Christ-likeness?!”) when they themselves have not adopted
and appropriated God’s Word as a way of life for themselves.
NUMBERS 16:15-19
15 Then Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, "Do not respect their
offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of
them." 16 And Moses said to Korah, "Tomorrow, you and all your
company be present before the LORD-you and they, as well as Aaron. 17 "Let
each take his censer and put incense in it, and each of you bring his censer
before the LORD, two hundred and fifty censers; both you and Aaron, each with
his censer." 18 So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense
on it, and stood at the door of the tabernacle of meeting with Moses and Aaron.
19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them at the door of the
tabernacle of meeting. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the
congregation.
[vs.15] Moses became angry with Korah and his rebels and
rightfully so. They were not true lovers of God and Israel; they were clearly
lovers of self. This is what bothered Moses.
These men had the audacity to actually take a censor and
burn incense which was a clear violation of God’s Word! The test in one sense
was, were these rebels going to honor God by NOT taking up a censor or dishonor
God by going through with it? This reminds me of women pastors, they are not
called to preach and pastor like the Korah and his rebels were not called to
burn incense and they still do it – they are testing God!!
This also reminds me of men who place themselves in the
pastorate, when the LORD has never called them.
NUMBERS 16:20-40
20 And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 21 "Separate yourselves
from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." 22
Then they fell on their faces, and said, "O God, the God of the spirits of
all flesh, shall one man sin, and You be angry with all the congregation?"
23 ¶ So the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24 "Speak to the congregation, saying,
'Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.'" 25 Then Moses
rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26
And he spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart now from the tents of
these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their
sins." 27 So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and
Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents,
with their wives, their sons, and their little children. 28 And Moses said:
"By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works,
for I have not done them of my own will. 29 "If these men die naturally
like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the
LORD has not sent me. 30 "But if the LORD creates a new thing, and the
earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and
they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have
rejected the LORD.
31 Now
it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split
apart under them, 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with
their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. 33 So they
and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over
them, and they perished from among the assembly. 34 Then all Israel who were
around them fled at their cry, for they said, "Lest the earth swallow us
up also!" 35 And a fire came out from the LORD and consumed the two
hundred and fifty men who were offering incense. 36 Then the LORD spoke to
Moses, saying: 37 "Tell Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, to pick up
the censers out of the blaze, for they are holy, and scatter the fire some
distance away. 38 "The censers of these men who sinned against their own
souls, let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar.
Because they presented them before the LORD, therefore they are holy; and they
shall be a sign to the children of Israel." 39 So Eleazar the priest took
the bronze censers, which those who were burned up had presented, and they were
hammered out as a covering on the altar, 40 to be a memorial to the children of
Israel that no outsider, who is not a descendant of Aaron, should come near to
offer incense before the LORD, that he might not become like Korah and his
companions, just as the LORD had said to him through Moses.
God buried Korah, Dathan and Abiram, their entire
families and all their possessions for their relentless pride. God caused a
giant sinkhole to appear or an earthquake to swallow them whole.
People who come against the LORD, and His innocent servants
and try to bring about division in a local church, also hurt their children in
one way or another – like we see here. Because everyone under 21 was given the
grace and mercy to go into the promised land, but not so for the rebel’s kids
due to the rebel’s pride.
[vs. 35] Then, God torched (burned alive), consumed the
other 250 leaders! Our God is indeed “A consuming fire!” (HEB 12:29).They had the audacity
to burn incense when it wasn’t for them to burn, and in return God burned them.
NUMBERS 16:41-50
41 On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured
against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of the
LORD." 42 Now it happened, when the congregation had gathered against
Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tabernacle of meeting; and
suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43 Then
Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of meeting. 44 And the LORD spoke to
Moses, saying, 45 "Get away from among this congregation, that I may
consume them in a moment." And they fell on their faces. 46 So Moses said
to Aaron, "Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on
it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for
wrath has gone out from the LORD. The plague has begun." 47 Then Aaron
took it as Moses commanded and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already
the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made
atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living; so
the plague was stopped. 49 Now those who died in the plague were fourteen
thousand seven hundred, besides those who died in the Korah incident. 50 So
Aaron returned to Moses at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, for the
plague had stopped.
You would think that the onlookers would learn
their lesson!? But Korah’s negative influence was too strong,
and it lived on in the hearts and attitudes of the rest. So, God Killed
14,700 with a severe plague/sickness. And if it wasn’t for Moses and Aaron, the
one’s they hated and their compassion in intercession and prayer, God would
have killed many more!
Let’s be men and women of true humility. Men who lead in love. Saints who live to serve not to be served. Men who don’t fight for high positions but are happy with whatever God entrusts us with.
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